A new community hub has been proposed for "one of the highest areas of deprivation in Ipswich."

The Friends of the Beeches - a fundraising group based in Whitton - has requested almost £5,000 to establish the hub in a building on the site of The Beeches Community Primary School. 

Known as 'The Beach', the building is used by the school during lunch periods before remaining unused for the rest of the day. 

The fundraising has proposed plans to turn The Beach into a community hub offering "a wide range activities to suit the diverse members of the community".

With the school having already granted permission for the project, Friends of the Beeches has now request a total of £4,996.35 from the North West Area Committee. 

Application documents say the site lies in "one of the highest areas of deprivation in Ipswich", adding the hub would offer "opportunities to acquire skills, build friendships and gain knowledge through activities [including] a Talk and Toddle group, an exercise class, a ‘Swap Shop’ and a ‘Coffee and Catch up’ session."

The plans will be discussed by the North West Area Committee on March 9.